22 FANCY PIGEONS. 



Each nest box (Fig. 7) is about 14in. long by 12in. deep, 

 and llin. high. A door, hinged at the bottom, covers two 

 nests, which suffice for a pair of birds, and each nest is 

 numbered for reference. About one-fourth of the door is cut 

 away for entrance, and a landing board, supported by a 

 small bracket, is fixed to it. A button screwed to the wood 

 that divides each pair of nests keeps the door secure, and, 

 if made so as to have no play, will never be accidentally 

 forced up. The pair of nests numbered 7 and 8 are shown 

 closed, and those marked 25 and 26 partly open. I find this 

 style of nesting place answers very well for small pigeons, 

 each pair of birds having all they require; they nest first 

 in the one and then in the other, and by the time the young 

 ones are able to come out they are strong enough to fly. 

 The single landing boards have the advantage of keeping 

 each pair entirely to themselves, and they are generally 

 able to hold their own against all comers, as there is little 

 room for fighting on them. 



BB (Fig. 6) is the open-air flight of B, and has resting 

 boards, 3|ft. from the ground, 18in. wide, and close to the 

 wall running round it. When there is a space between the 

 board and the wall it is dangerous for pouters, fantails, 

 and such pigeons. I like the broad resting boards, as they 

 give plenty of room for the birds to pass each other. WW 

 are the water fountains for the open-air flights, placed out- 

 side, with their saucers projecting through the wire. G 

 is a room, 12ft. by 12ft., fitted up with three tiers of nests 

 for pouters. The shelves are 18in. deep and 18in. high, 

 divided into nesting places 3ft. long, which, in the breeding 

 season, are darkened at each end by boards, behind which 

 the birds nest alternately. Like others I know, I could 

 never be satisfied with so few birds as I could find accom- 

 modation for on the ground, so must run certain risks 

 from the young ones falling from the higher nests, and be 

 as careful in guarding against such mishaps as possible. D is 



